Select Local Merchants

A well-known restaurant in Germantown, The Greene Turtle is the ideal location for delicious pub food. It's a culinary destination for visitors interested in delicious food.
Thanks to its outdoor seating, the restaurant is a fantastic option when the Mid-Atlantic weather is cooperating. There's no particular required attire, so feel free to dress comfortably. Also, sometimes there's live music, but keep in mind it can get a little loud.
It's been tabbed as a good option for large groups. WiFi's available if you want to link your device up, and if you're in a hurry, you can always take advantage of the convenient take-out menu. Or, if you're looking for a good spot to hit up after work, it's got a popular happy hour and pretty decent selection at its bar.
Specializing in dinner and late-night cuisine, The Greene Turtle is definitely a good call. Don't worry about trying to find a spot on the street, as visitors to the restaurant do have access to a private parking lot nearby. Prefer to pedal there? Bicycle parking is also provided.

Dominics in Monrovia is a well-known restaurant, offering a familiar atmosphere with superb pasta and good pizza. It's an ideal choice for customers seeking good food.
If you're trying to plan ahead, most people will be quick to point out that Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the best evenings to visit. It should be noted that casual attire is encouraged and though the prices are considered low, you won't sacrifice any quality. If you're in the mood for tunes, it's a great option for live music.
If you're on the lookout for the perfect spot for family or friends, it's been reviewed as a solid option for large groups and kids. If you don't feel like driving over to Fingerboard, placing a delivery order is an option. Or, if you're looking for a good spot to hit up after work, it's got a popular happy hour and pretty decent selection at its bar.
Specializing in both lunch and dinner, a trip to Dominics is definitely worthwhile. Don't worry about trying to find a spot on the street, as visitors to the restaurant do have access to a private parking lot nearby.

Take a seat at Wilcoms Inn for an inviting cafe experience in the middle of town.
The menu doesn't include any low-fat items, so set aside some extra calories for your visit.
You'll want to save quiet conversations for another spot, though — the restaurant can get noisy.
At Wilcoms Inn, you won't have to worry about circling the block multiple times to find parking.
Wilcoms Inn provides ample space for bikers to store their bikes.

Fresh fare can be found at Dogfish Head Alehouse, where patrons seek to sample every seafood dish on the menu.
Dogfish Head Alehouse is a jackpot for those looking for low-fat and gluten-free meal options.
Order a bottle for the table if you like — Dogfish Head Alehouse has a full bar stocked with the best wine, beer, and more.
Have a few picky young eaters in the family? Not a problem at Dogfish Head Alehouse, where the food and ambience are perfect for family dining.
Shake off your workday and treat yourself to Dogfish Head Alehouse's happy hour.
Not to be overlooked is Dogfish Head Alehouse's no-charge wifi.
Take your meal to the next level on the patio at Dogfish Head Alehouse.
Enjoy live music with your food and drinks at Dogfish Head Alehouse as well.
Be sure to call for a reservation if the restaurant is part of your weekend plans — it can get crowded on Fridays and Saturdays.
Dogfish Head Alehouse is completely informal — dress as you see fit (and are most comfortable).
If you're hoping to make a smashing impression at your next soiree, you can also have Dogfish Head Alehouse cater for you.
You can also grab your food to go.
Free parking is available right next door.
Make use of the safe and efficient bike parking at Dogfish Head Alehouse.
Your tab at Dogfish Head Alehouse will usually run to about $30 per guest.

If you have yet to try O'Leary's, now is a great time to enjoy the well-known restaurant. Stop in for the excellent quality and stay for helpful service. You'll be a regular at O'Leary's before you know it.
Though the prices are considered to be lower than average, you aren't going to sacrifice any quality.
If you just feel like stopping by for a drink, the restaurant has helpful bar staff (and a good selection behind the bar).
To sum it all up, O'Leary's is a tasty choice when you're in the mood for unique international cuisine, and want to branch out from the typical Chinese/Mexican/Italian fare.

Chow down on all of your pub favorites at Ernies Restaurant and Pub.
You won't find any low-fat fare here, though, so leave some room to indulge.
Ernies Restaurant and Pub is a local restaurant that accommodates both large and small groups.
Leave the fancy duds at home — patrons at the restaurant dress informally.
At Ernies Restaurant and Pub, you can park quickly and safely in a lot next door.
The dream is to eat an amazing meal for under $15, and at Ernies Restaurant and Pub, they are making dreams come true.

Groupon Guide

In sociology, there’s this idea of the third place—somewhere that’s not home or work where you go for a sense of community. To have fun. To break up your routine. For some people, that third place is a café, a park, or a barber shop. For many others, it’s a neighborhood bar, but not one with an archetype. “There is no platonic ideal bar,” Bill Savage said. “It will never be any one thing for everybody.” And the associate professor should know. When he isn’t teaching at Northwestern University or leading The City that Drinks seminars, he’s bartending at the long-standing Chicago tavern Cunneen’s.Although there may not be a single perfect bar, every great neighborhood bar shares commonalities. Here are six things you’ll find at any tavern worth its (pretzel) salt.1. It's in your neighborhood.This may seem obvious, but its importance runs deeper than geographic convenience. Owners and bartenders at your neighborhood bar are more likely to care about what goes on around there. Doubly so if they live nearby. “People have investment in the area and what happens to it,” Bill said.However, you don’t want the community to be too tight knit. “A neighborhood can be a positive identification—we’re a community, we’re in this together. Or it can be a negative one, like, ‘Who the f**k are you? You’re not from around here. Get out of here, I don’t know you,’” Bill said. “[It’s important to] strike a balance point where you’re welcoming of people you don’t know, and in an ongoing way, sustaining the people you do.”2. There are windows.There’s low-key, and then there’s keeping illicit activities on the down-low. An unwelcoming storefront can be a sign of the latter. “I won’t go into a bar where you can’t see in the windows, ‘cause that means they don’t want you to see what’s going on inside,” Bill said. “If they’re making book behind the bar or something like that, they don’t want anyone they don’t know in the room.”3. The bartenders are attentive and authoritative.No one likes an empty glass, but a great barkeep pays attention to more than just liquor levels. Are the bathrooms in order? Is the music at an appropriate volume? Is there a fight brewing in the corner?If patrons are getting too rowdy, the bar’s staff should the first to step in. “It’s nice to have bartenders who throw out people who are jerks. In any good bar, the bartender controls the bar in a good way,” Bill said. “I want a bartender whose head is on a swivel.”4. There isn't high turnover.In general, bar owners who are invested in the neighborhood and its customers are also invested in their employees, so how these proprietors treat their staff often reflects how they feel about the community. “Stability is a good thing, because it shows the guy at the top knows what he’s doing and takes care of his people,” Bill said.5. It serves what you like, at a price you like.If you’re gonna order a Bud Light at a place known for its barrel-aged cocktails, you can’t scoff if the bar charges a little more for it, or doesn’t serve it at all. Rather than try to force your tastes onto a bar (which won’t end well), keep looking until you find a spot in line with your preferences.That being said, good bar owners have their fingers on the pulse of local trends. Bill cited Chicago’s renowned craft-beer culture as an example. “If a bar completely ignores that, odds are, people will go next door where they can get [craft brews], rather than continuing to swill down the Old Style and the Budweiser.”6. It promotes community, not conflict.Especially for those new to the area, bars are a great place to befriend neighbors. “If I had to make a list of the 10 people I’d save from a zombie apocalypse, I met half of them in bars,” Bill said. “It’s a place to get to know people, for good or bad.”Yes, you read that correctly. Everyone who hangs out there isn’t going to be your favorite, but as Bill said, “It’s their bar, too.” It’s a good reflection of the establishment if everyone can coexist in peace. “You’re at a bar, you’re here to relax, it’s supposed to be fun. Chill out. You should be able to have a drink with someone who supports the politician you hate most in the world. We all gotta get along.”The Nation's Great Neighborhood BarsIf you’re not already at one of these watering holes with a drink in hand, we recommend you pull up a barstool.Schaller’s Pump in ChicagoJust blocks from U.S. Cellular Field, regulars have been frequenting the 134-year-old Bridgeport tap house since The Cell was known as Comiskey Park.The Stonewall Inn in New YorkThanks to its top-notch service, patrons continue to flock to this West Village bar that was the site of the historic Stonewall Riots.Buddha Lounge in San FranciscoSip beer out of a Buddha-shaped bottle while playing a game of dice with the bartender at this Chinatown hole in the wall.Free House in PortlandIn 2012, this Sabin tavern was re-established by the co-owner of Olympic Provisions and the chef behind Victory Bar. As a result, the menu is overflowing with both charcuterie and craft cocktails.Dry Creek Cafe & Boat Dock in AustinThis Mount Bonnell barroom might be surrounded by views of Hill Country mansions, but cheap beers and a jukebox full of country 45s keep the hilltop spot down-to-earth.Photos courtesy of the Library of CongressRead more about what keeps places "real":Every Great American Steakhouse Follows These Four RulesHow to Spot Authentic Thai Food with These Telltale Signs

What to wear on a first date? It’s a question that plagues even Julie Ghatan, owner of Chicago clothing boutique Dovetail. Though she has a killer closet at her disposal, and a shop full of vintage and indie-label finds, she still admits to stressing over the process. But according to friends, she’s underestimating her skills. “Someone once told me that I always looked like I was headed to a romantic rendezvous,” Julie said.We agree. That’s why we asked her to show us her favorite first-date outfit. Scroll on to see more photos, and to find out why Julie only buys pieces she’d wear on a date.Julie said her inspiration for this outfit started with the parrot necklace. She matched its whimsy with a palm-tree top and floral heels (“These things belonged together! Flora and fauna!”), but grounded the look with black leggings and a plain-white clutch."When putting together an ensemble, I like to start with one statement piece and build around it with subtler supporting players.""I like to mix a little humor into my outfits when I can. Let's be honest, that necklace and those shoes are ridiculous. And I love them more because of it."Julie biggest challenge is dressing for her body, because she says she’s “built like a daddy long leg spider”—short torso, long legs. She’s found high-waisted pieces complement her frame best. Aside from that, though, she’s open-minded when it comes to style."I don't really try to place restrictions on myself. I try to dress my best daily, so chances are I don't even own much that I wouldn't wear on a first date." "When dressing for a first date—or any other first where you want to make a good and honest first impression of yourself—I think it's important to wear something that feels totally you, and then you'll naturally feel comfortable."Photos taken at Dovetail and Bar Deville in Chicago by Andrew Nawrocki, Groupon.Check out more photos of the fashion-forward:Street StyleThe Colors and Cultures that Fashion Miami

Hollywood is the land of big sets and spectacle, but some of the most iconic scenes in movies took place in everyday restaurants and bars, giving the brick-and-mortar establishments their big break as instant pop-culture icons. Here are nine real-life spots—still open for business—that’ve been etched into the Hollywood canon, whether thanks to gangsters debating tip etiquette or nihilists eating pancakes.Baker Street Pub and Restaurant | New York CityCocktailTom Cruise’s bottle-juggling antics in 1988’s Cocktail were filmed in the real-life Baker’s Pub. Today there’s plenty of dexterity on display, not behind the bar but on the dozen flat-screen TVs, where Premier League, UEFA Europa League, and Six Nations League soccer and rugby matches take the spotlight.
Pat & Lorraine’s Coffee Shop | Los AngelesReservoir DogsIn the opening scene of Quentin Tarantino’s debut film, Mr. Pink, Mr. White, and the other principal primaries argue about tipping etiquette at this mom-and-pop diner. The set dresser didn’t have to work hard; the real-life Pat & Lorraine’s has plenty of homespun kitschy decor on its walls, and a mix of Mexican and American comfort foods on its menu. Dinah’s Family Restaurant | Los AngelesThe Big LebowskiThere’s no Dude on screen during Dinah’s’ Big Lebowski appearance—just some nihilists eating lingonberry pancakes. The Chili Peppers’ Flea and his gloomy crew chose the right place, as Dinah’s is known for its dutch oven–baked pancakes. It’s also famous for its retro-diner decor, complete with ketchup-red horseshoe booths and quilted stainless steel above the grills. Double Door | ChicagoHigh FidelityNear the end of High Fidelity, Jack Black’s character takes the stage and belts out a rousing rendition of “Let’s Get it On.” The scene was filmed at Chicago’s Double Door, a 550-person venue that’s hosted everything from local bands to secret Rolling Stones shows. The Wicker Park mainstay showcases an eclectic range of genres and has shows nearly every night of the week.L Street Tavern | BostonGood Will Hunting
Reportedly, it took Gus Van Sant one visit to cast L Street Tavern as a location for Good Will Hunting. The director immediately saw the pub as an embodiment of the Southie spirit that defined Matt Damon’s character. L Street figures into many of the film’s early scenes, and the tables where the characters drank are still there, if you can snag one.Kansas City Barbecue | San Diego, CATop GunDespite a devastating fire in 2008, Kansas City Barbecue still celebrates its prominent role in Top Gun, where Goose and Maverick sang “Great Balls of Fire” at the bar and Meg Ryan called Tom Cruise a stud. Visitors can chow down on pork spare ribs or brisket—and then buy a commemorative Top Gun t-shirt to wipe their mouth.Katz’s Delicatessen | New York CityWhen Harry Met Sally Katz’s has welcomed four US presidents and countless luminaries, but Meg Ryan’s fake orgasm in When Harry Met Sally remains the deli’s most memorable event. If you can’t decide what she’s having, Katz’s is famous for its towering sandwiches made with hand-carved pastrami. Chris’s Billiards | ChicagoThe Color of Money
Martin Scorsese mined the real-life grit of this Chicago pool hall for 1986’s follow-up to The Hustler. Paul Newman and Tom Cruise (not pictured above) filmed many of their hustling scenes here. Yet amid the real-life cast of squinty-eyed pool sharks, there’s plenty of tables for casual players to enjoy a game and keep their thumbs intact.The Dresden | Los AngelesSwingersThe couple that serenaded Vince Vaughn and company in Swingers still croons jazz classics in the lounge of this Hollywood landmark. Marty and Elayne perform Tuesday through Saturday nights. Get the best vantage point in one of the vintage booths, cocktails in hand. Photos courtesy of: Buena Vista (Cocktail, High Fidelity); Miramax (Reservoir Dogs, Swingers); Gramercy (The Big Lebowski); Paramount (Top Gun); Columbia (When Harry Met Sally); Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 2.0) (Chris's Billiards/The Color of Money); L Street Tavern via Facebook (Good Will Hunting)Fulfill your fantasies with these other lists of imaginative pitstops:How to Play Hooky in Chicago (As a Grownup)9 Bars with Out-There Themes, from Shipwrecks to Stock Exchanges